Chapter 207

~ Octavia ~

A week and a half had passed since everything came crashing down and then somehow rebuilt itself into something better. The court hearing was scheduled for a few days from now, and we didn’t have to give our testimonies, we found a way around it while using our health as an excuse. Perks of Flemington money.

But today, I had somewhere else I needed to be.

Work.

"You’re really going?" Franklin asked that morning, following me around the bedroom as I got dressed. "You could just stay home. We could spend the day together. I’ll miss you."

I pulled on my blazer and looked at him in the mirror, fighting a smile. He was propped up in bed, looking dramatically abandoned, and it was almost painful how much I wanted to just get back in bed with him.

"Franklin, you need rest," I said, turning to face him. "Doctor’s orders. Full bed rest, remember?"

"But that was before I realized how boring bed rest is without you," he said, his voice taking on that playful tone that made me want to forget about work entirely. "And before I realized how much I hate you leaving me alone."

"You have Olga," I pointed out. "And Grandpa Frederick. And the entire staff. You won’t be alone."

"It’s not the same without you," he said, but he was smiling now. "Come back early?"

"I’ll try," I said, leaning down to kiss his lips. "Be good. Rest. And don’t try to work from bed. I will know. I have eyes everything mister."

"How will you know?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"I just will."

I got into the car and drove to work. With my bodyguards tailing behind me. Franklin said they were still needed.

The office felt different when I walked in. Not in a bad way. Just... different. I guess that is a good start.

My department was the first stop, and the moment I walked through the doors, Victoria stood up. Then Ava, Sarah, and everyone else, one by one, rising from their desks. And then they started to clap.

I froze. I hadn’t expected this. The applause continued, genuine and warm, and I felt my eyes getting warm.

"We are so incredibly proud of you," Victoria said, coming over to pull me into a hug. "So proud. What you did... Octavia, you are a strong woman."

"I just did what needed to be done," I said, but my voice was thick with emotion.

Victoria pulled back and looked at me properly. "How are you? How is everything?"

"It’s fine," I said honestly. "Better than before, actually. Much better."

"I can tell," Victoria said, and there was something knowing in her smile. "I can see it. The way Franklin looks at you... the love there. It’s so genuine that even the blind could see it, Octavia. That man adores you. I am happy it is now different."

I felt heat rise to my cheeks, but I was also smiling. Because she was right. He did. And I adored him just as much.

Thinking back to how it was before, I did not think this was going to be possible again.

The morning went by in a blur of work and catch-ups. The team had held things together while I was away dealing with everything, and I was grateful for their competence and loyalty.

I had some backlogs to deal with and I was busy with it all through the day.

We went through reports, discussed upcoming projects, and slowly, it felt like I was finding my footing again. The balance between home and work.

It felt right.

But then Miranda walked in.

"Octavia," she said, her voice clipped and professional. "I need to see you. Now."

The tone made everyone in the office look up. Victoria’s expression sharpened, and I could feel the sudden tension in the air.

I had not seen her since everything went down. The sudden strictness in her tone was setting me off.

"Of course," I said, standing up. "What’s wrong?"

"Not here," Miranda said. "My office."

I exchanged a glance with Victoria, who looked as confused as I felt. I followed Miranda out of the department, my mind already spinning with possibilities. Was there a problem with a project? I mean everything was left hanging after the whole falling drama.

As we walked, I couldn’t help but wonder what could have gone wrong now. We’d barely survived one crisis. Surely there wasn’t another waiting right behind it.

I was about to find out.

....

On my way home, I was anxious. I could not wait to get home and break the news of what Miranda had told me to Franklin. It was dreadful enough I had to wait till closing hour.

I had broken the news to the girls at work. They were equally surprised. I guess that makes four of us.

The mansion was quiet when I arrived. Too quiet, actually. I left Franklin, so he should have been home. I set my bags down on the marble entryway and called out, "Franklin? Franklin, where are you?"

No answer. That is rather strange.

I walked further into the house, my excitement starting to shift into something else. Something wary. The living room was dark. The kitchen was dark. Everything was dark. The only source of light was little candles flickering softly against the walls. I could only see my shadow. I could not make out what was happening, could not see past the darkness that seemed to swallow the entire first floor.

With everything that has been happening, I was cautious. How is it that all of a sudden, the house was dark? What was going on?

"Franklin?" I called again, feeling a flutter of unease spread through my chest. "This isn’t funny. Where are you?"

And then, suddenly, the lights exploded to life.

Every light in the room switched on at once, so bright and sudden that I had to squint. And when my eyes finally adjusted, when I could actually see what was in front of me, I felt my breath catch.